Coronavirus news highlights: Europe becomes world's first region to cross 5 lakh deaths from Covid-19

India's Covid-19 tally rose to 99,75,270 and death toll rose to 144,746. The Union Health Ministry said that 94,89,740 people have so far recovered from the infection. Russian President Vladimir Putin said the country lacks the equipment needed to make enough of the Covid-19 vaccine, and French President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for the virus.

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For every one Covid-19 case detected, Karnataka missed 90; 60% of Indians exposed to coronavirus by now

For every Covid-19 positive case it detected, Karnataka missed 90 cases while more than 80 crore Indians may have been exposed to the virus by now even though most of them don’t have any symptoms.

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Oxford says vaccine has good immune response with two-dose regime

Oxford's Covid-19 vaccine candidate has a better immune response when a two full-dose regime is used rather than a full-dose followed by a half-dose booster, the university said on Thursday.

The vaccine candidate, which has been licensed to AstraZeneca, has published interim late stage trial results showing higher efficacy when a half dose is followed by a full dose, compared to a two full-dose regime, though more work needs to be done to affirm the result. -Reuters

Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez tests negative for Covid-19, government says -Reuters

Europe first region to pass 500,000 virus deaths

Europe became the first region in the world on Thursday to pass the milestone of 500,000 coronavirus deaths, according to an AFP tally based on official sources shortly before 1500 GMT.

The 52 countries and territories of the European region counted at least 500,069 deaths -- ahead of Latin America and the Caribbean on 477,404, the United States and Canada (321,287), Asia (208,149), the Middle East (85,895) and Africa (57,423). -AFP

AIIMS unable to find required no. of volunteers for phase-3 trial of Bharat Biotech's Covid vaccine

The AIIMS here is unable to find the required number of volunteers for the phase-3 trial of Bharat Biotech's Covid-19 vaccine, with officials saying people are unwilling to participate in the exercise thinking why take part in a trial when a vaccine would be available soon for everybody.

The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in the national capital is one of the sites conducting the final phase of the trial of the vaccine, "Covaxin", and it needs around 1,500 volunteers for the purpose.

We wanted 1,500-2,000 participants but so far, we have been able to recruit only around 200 participants. People are unwilling to participate in the exercise thinking why take part in a trial when a vaccine would be available soon for everyone," Dr Sanjay Rai, professor in the department of community medicine at the AIIMS and also the principal investigator of the study, said. -PTI

Madhya Pradesh reported 1,161 new Covid-19 cases, 1,326 recoveries -ANI

Madhya Pradesh reported 1,161 new Covid-19 cases, 1,326 recoveries, and 9 deaths today.

Total cases: 2,27,949

Total recoveries: 2,12,351

Death toll: 3,442

Active cases:12,156

Vaccinating billions against Covid-19 means finding ways around a patent impasse

Covid-19 vaccines look set to protect millions of citizens of the world’s richest countries in the coming months. But inoculating the rest of the planet’s population may mean finding a way around an impasse over intellectual property.

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Maharashtra reports 3,880 new Covid-19 cases, 4,358 discharges and 65 deaths

No amount of govt intervention adequate for pandemic-hit economy: FM

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said on Thursday that the government has taken several measures to support the economy but no amount of intervention will be adequate to deal with the crisis triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Addressing the annual general meeting of the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC), Sitharaman said that while in early 2020 green shoots and revival signs of the economy were visible, it was upset with the pandemic setting in. -PTI

Andhra Pradesh coronavirus tally reaches 8.77 lakh with 534 new infections

Andhra Pradesh's Covid-19 tally increased to 8.77 lakh on Thursday as 534 cases were reported a new. In 24 hours ending 9 am on Thursday, 498 patients had recovered, taking the total recoveries to 8,65,825.

The overall toll rose to 7,069 as two more fatalities were reported in a day, the latest bulletin said. -PTI

Karnataka reports 1,236 new Covid-19 cases, 1,497 discharges -ANI

Karnataka reported 1,236 new Covid-19 cases, 1,497 discharges and 10 deaths today.

Total cases: 9,05,901

Total discharges: 8,78,696

Death toll: 11,981

Active cases: 15,205

Centre to take help of 90 lakh private security guards in Covid-19 vaccination drive

As India eagerly awaits the launch of a Covid-19 vaccine, the Centre and health agencies will take the help of 90 lakh private security guards across India in the rollout of a mass vaccination drive against Covid-19, said Union Minister of State for Home G Kishan Reddy on Thursday.

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Delhi reports 1,363 new Covid-19 cases, 2,391 recoveries -ANI

Delhi reports 1,363 new Covid-19 cases, 2,391 recoveries and 35 deaths in the last 24 hours.

Total cases: 6,13,357

Total recoveries: 5,90,977

Death toll: 10,182

Active cases: 12,198

Covid-19 vaccinations in EU to start from Dec 27: Ursula von der Leyen

European Union countries will begin inoculating people against the new coronavirus from December 27, the head of the EU commission said on Thursday, assuming the EU regulator approves a vaccine.

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Will children be able to get Covid-19 vaccines?

Will children be able to get Covid-19 vaccines? Not until there's enough data from studies in different age groups, which will stretch well into next year.

The Pfizer vaccine authorised in the US this month is for people 16 and older. Testing began in October in children as young as 12 and is expected to take several more months.

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Moderna's coronavirus vaccine faces US FDA expert panel review

A panel of outside advisers to the US Food and Drug Administration is expected to endorse emergency use of Moderna Inc's coronavirus vaccine during a meeting on Thursday, as the nation prepares to roll out a second vaccine.

The panel vote on whether the vaccine's benefits outweigh its risks is likely to come some time after 3 pm ET (2000 GMT), with an FDA authorization expected as soon as Friday.

This is the same committee of expert advisers that last week backed the Covid-19 vaccine from Pfizer Inc and German partner BioNTech SE, clearing the way for the FDA emergency use authorization (EUA) a day later. -Reuters

Mike Pence, Joe Biden to get Covid vaccine in bid to build public support

Vice President Mike Pence will publicly receive the coronavirus vaccine on Friday as the Trump administration scrambles to build public support for an inoculation that promises to stanch the deadly pandemic.

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TN Governor interacts with people on Covid-19 measures

Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit took the people of Selvapuram here by surprise on Thursday when he alighted from the car and advised them on preventive measures against coronavirus. -PTI

Portugal PM cancels official trips after meeting French President Macron on Wednesday, awaiting Covid-19 test results

European Union nations to begin Covid-19 vaccinations on December 27: EU commission head Ursula von der Leyen

Vietnam starts human trial of coronavirus vaccine

A Vietnamese pharmaceutical company began testing a coronavirus vaccine on volunteers in Hanoi on Thursday, as developing countries jostle with richer nations to access affordable inoculations.

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Spanish PM Pedro Sanchez in quarantine after contact with Emmanuel Macron: official

Covid-19 spread during dental treatment could be lowered with slower drill rotation, study says

Using a slower drill rotation during dental procedures could help prevent Covid-19 aerosol spread and improve safety for both patients and the dental practice workforce, according to a study published on Thursday.

The researchers at Imperial College London and King's College London in the UK noted that dental treatment can pose a high risk of viral transmission because the tools that are used often produce aerosols, which can contain high number of copies of the novel coronavirus.

The aerosols are generated when saliva mixes with water and air streams used in dental procedures, they said. -PTI

Gandalf actor Ian McKellen euphoric after receiving Covid-19 vaccine

British actor Ian McKellen, who played the wizard Gandalf in the Lord of the Rings movies, said he was euphoric after receiving his first dose of the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine and urged everyone who was offered the jab to accept it.

The state-run National Health Service (NHS), which is running Britain's mass Covid vaccination programme, posted several pictures of McKellen, in a blue T-shirt and a rainbow striped scarf, giving a thumbs up as he received the shot.

"It's a very special day. I feel euphoric," McKellen, 81, was quoted as saying in one NHS post which he retweeted. -Reuters

'We are not afraid': Wuhan residents say they hope WHO team finds coronavirus origins

With investigators from the World Health Organization (WHO) set to visit China next year, residents of Wuhan are saying they want the team to come to the central city, hoping they could prove the virus did not originate there.

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French President Emmanuel Macron tests positive for Covid-19

French President Emmanuel Macron has tested positive for Covid-19, the presidency said on Thursday, adding he would now self-isolate for the next week.

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Russia lacks equipment to produce enough of coronavirus vaccine, needs time to increase capacity: Vladimir Putin

Tokyo hospitals overwhelmed as coronavirus cases hit new record

Tokyo's hospitals are struggling to provide routine care because of a sharp spike in coronavirus cases, officials warned Thursday as new infections in the Japanese capital hit another record high.

The city raised its alert level for availability of medical services to the top of a four-tier Covid-19 warning system for the first time since it was introduced.

Japan has so far avoided imposing strict lockdown measures and has seen a smaller outbreak than many other countries, with only around 187,000 infections and 2,700 deaths recorded overall.

Sydney residents told to stay home after Covid-19 cluster grows to 17

Australia on Thursday scrambled to trace the source of new Covid-19 cases after a cluster was detected in the largest city of Sydney, where authorities urged hundreds of thousands of people to stay home and set up emergency testing centres.

After reporting two new cases of the novel coronavirus in Sydney's northern suburbs the previous day, the authorities said hours later the number had jumped to 17, prompting a request for all 250,000 residents in the city's Northern Beaches district to stay home for three days.

Increase in Covid-19 spread linked to natural UV level decrease: Study

Natural variations in ultraviolet radiation influences the spread of the novel coronavirus, says a new study which adds that the effect is still modest compared to that of measures like physical distancing, and mask wearing.

The findings, published in the journal PNAS, suggests that the incidence of Covid-19 may have a seasonal pattern in which the virus spreads faster in the winter when it's darker with lower levels of UV radiation than during summer.

None of farmers wear mask: AG Venugopal warns of Covid-19 spread at farmer protests

Health officials track safety as Covid-19 vaccines roll out

As Covid-19 vaccinations roll out to more and more people, health authorities are keeping close watch for any unexpected side effects.

On Tuesday, a health worker in Alaska suffered a severe allergic reaction after receiving the Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine. She is in the hospital for another night under observation while another worker, vaccinated Wednesday, has recovered.

Doctors already knew to be on the lookout after Britain reported two similar cases last week.

Puducherry adds 40 new Covid-19 cases, tally rises to 37,622

The union territory of Puducherry logged 40 new coronavirus cases while no fresh fatality was reported in the last 24 hours, a top Health department official said on Thursday.

The 40 fresh infections took the overall tally to 37,622, Director of Health and Family Welfare S Mohan Kumar said in a release.

Tokyo says Covid-19 strain on hospitals is severe, raises alert to highest

The Japanese capital of Tokyo said on Thursday the strain on its medical system from the Covid-19 pandemic was severe, raising its alert level to the highest of four stages as the number of cases spiked to a record daily high of 822.

A health official said it had become difficult to balance the care of Covid-19 patients with regular ones as hospital beds filled up, assigning a "red" alert for medical preparedness for the first time.

450 new Covid-19 cases, 11 more deaths in Thane

The Covid-19 tally in Maharashtra's Thane district has reached 2,37,329 with the addition of 450 new cases, an official said on Thursday.

Eleven more patients have also succumbed to the viral infection, raising the death toll in the district to 5,842, he said.

Currently, there are 4,922 active Covid-19 cases in the district, while 2,26,565 patients have recovered.

The Covid-19 recovery rate in the district is 95.46 per cent, the mortalityrate is 2.46 per cent, while the active cases comprise 2.07 per cent of the total viral infection cases reported till now, the official said.

Covid-19 caseload in India climbs to 99.56 lakh

India's Covid-19 caseload rose to 99.56 lakh with 24,010 new infections being reported in a day, while the number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 94.89 lakh, according to the Union Health Ministry data updated on Thursday.

The total coronavirus cases mounted to 99,56,557 and the death toll rose to 1,44,451 with 355 new fatalities, the data updated at 8 am showed.

The number of people who have recuperated from the disease surged to 94,89,740 pushing the national recovery rate to 95.31 per cent,while the Covid-19 case fatality rate stands at 1.45 per cent.

Germany's confirmed coronavirus cases rise by 26,923

The number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Germany increased by 26,923 to 1,406,161, data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) for infectious diseases showed on Thursday.

The reported death toll rose by 698 to 24,125, the tally showed.

India reports 24,010 new Covid-19 cases, 355 deaths

Australian state violated human rights in Covid lockdown: Report

An Australian state's decision to lockdown more than 3,000 people in public housing towers to contain a second Covid-19 outbreak was not based on direct health advice and violated human rights, Victoria's state Ombudsman said in a report.

Australia's second-most populous state, Victoria, locked down nine public housing towers for several days in July due to a surge in coronavirus cases.

Victoria's acting chief health officer had only 15 minutes to consider and approve the lockdown, including the potential human rights impacts, Ombudsman Deborah Glass said in her report released on Thursday.

Jharkhand reports 190 new Covid-19 cases, three more deaths

Jharkhand's Covid-19 tally rose to 1,12,121 as 190 more people tested positive for the infection, a health department official said on Thursday.

The death toll increased to 1,004 as three persons succumbed to the infection in the last 24 hours, he said.

Three fresh fatalities were reported from Palamu, Hazaribagh and Dumka.

US vaccine campaign grows as Covid-19 kills 3,000-plus Americans daily

The United States on Wednesday widened its network for administering COVID-19 vaccines to doctors and nurses on the frontlines of a pandemic killing more than 3,000 Americans a day, even as a major storm threatened to slow progress on the East Coast.

While medical professionals at a growing number of hospitals rolled up their sleeves, lawmakers on Capitol Hill said they were nearing a long-elusive bipartisan deal on $900 billion in economic relief to pandemic-hit U.S. workers and businesses.

Europe pushes for vaccine rollout, US deaths hit new peak

European nations vowed Wednesday to get their coronavirus vaccination campaigns rolling before the end of the year, while the United States recorded a shocking new peak of more than 3,700 deaths in one day.

As surges in infections prompted tighter restrictions across several countries, Germany said it will begin vaccinations on December 27 -- a date expected to be matched across the European Union.

France said it would receive around 1.16 million vaccine doses by year-end, with a further 2.3 million coming over the next two months.

The vaccination drive cannot come too soon to the embattled continent, which is fast approaching 500,000 deaths from the disease.

Mexico reports 10,297 new coronavirus cases, 670 more deaths

Mexico's health ministry on Wednesday reported 10,297 new confirmed cases of coronavirus infection and 670 more fatalities, bringing the country's totals to 1,277,499 cases and 115,769 deaths.

The government says the real number of infected people is likely significantly higher than the confirmed cases.

Mexico City residents defy coronavirus warnings amid Christmas shopping spree

Tired of months of confinement, Christmas shoppers have been crowding stores in Mexico City this week despite a recent spike in coronavirus cases that has strained hospitals in the capital.

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador has pleaded with Mexico City residents to avoid being out in the streets as much as possible during the normally festive holiday season.

South Korea reports 1,014 new coronavirus cases

South Korea reported 1,014 new coronavirus cases on Thursday, the Yonhap news agency reported, citing a senior Seoul city official.

Deputy Mayor Kim Woo-young provided the number during a radio show, including Seoul's record high daily infections of 423, Yonhap said.

Mainland China reports seven new Covid-19 cases vs 12 a day earlier

Mainland China reported seven new Covid-19 cases on Dec. 16, down from 12 cases a day earlier, the country's national health authority said on Thursday.

The National Health Commission, in a statement, said all of the new cases were imported infections originating from overseas. The number of new asymptomatic cases, which China does not classify as confirmed cases, fell to six from nine a day earlier.

West Bengal reports 46 more Covid-19 deaths, 2,293 new cases

The Covid-19 death toll in West Bengal rose to 9,191 on Wednesday as 46 more people succumbed to the disease, the health department said in a bulletin.

The state registered 2,293 new cases, pushing the tally to 5,28,211.

The bulletin said that 2,767 patients also recovered from coronavirus during the day, taking the total number of cured people to 4,98,877. The recovery rate is 94.45 per cent at present.